Please take note of these key events leading up to the launch of Air Canada Altitude:

2012	2013
December	January	February	March
December 31: End of qualifying period for 2013 Altitude status. December 31: Make sure all your 2012 status flights have been credited to your Aeroplan Account. By December 31: Elite 35K members and higher can personalize their luggage tags.	By week of January 21: You’ll receive an email confirming your 2013 Air Canada Altitude status. This year, you’ll receive your Altitude package prior to choosing your Select Privileges.	By week of February 25: You’ll receive an email inviting you to choose your Select Privileges. Depending on your selection you’ll either receive your Select Privileges electronically, or a follow-up package within 4 to 6 weeks. By week of February 25: Launch of new altitude.aircanada.com website. February 28: End of 2012 Top Tier benefit period.	By March 1: You’ll receive your Altitude package by mail. March 1: Your 2013 Altitude status becomes effective.

Update on the 2013 Air Canada Top Tier program

Here are some exciting updates regarding our 2013 Air Canada Top Tier program. Two new tiers have been added to the 2013 program for a total of five, as well as some new benefits that will make your travel experience even more rewarding. In keeping with the spirit of the redesign, we will be giving the Air Canada Top Tier program a new name – Air Canada Altitude. As of March 1, 2013, the five tiers will also have new names and will be known as: Altitude Prestige 25K, Altitude Elite 35K, Altitude Elite 50K, Altitude Elite 75K, and Altitude Super Elite 100K.

In the upcoming months, we will officially launch Air Canada Altitude with a new program look and feel, newly designed cards and packages, and a completely revamped website, as well as a new range of exclusive partner privileges. Until then, here’s an overview of Air Canada Altitude and the benefits you’ll enjoy effective March 1, 2013.

Air Canada Altitude at a glance

Similar to previous years, qualification will be determined by the number of Altitude Qualifying Miles (AQM) or Altitude Qualifying Segments (AQS) you earn on eligible flights between January 1 and December 31. Here are the qualification criteria for the 2013 benefit year, starting on March 1, 2013.

	PRESTIGE 25K25,000	ELITE 35K35,000	ELITE 50K50,000	ELITE 75K75,000	SUPER ELITE 100K100,000
Altitude Qualifying Miles	PRESTIGE 25K25,000	ELITE 35K35,000	ELITE 50K50,000	ELITE 75K75,000	SUPER ELITE 100K100,000
Altitude Qualifying Segments	25	35	50	75	95
Minimum Air Canada Flight Requirement	As part of the Altitude Qualifying Miles (AQM) or Altitude Qualifying Segments (AQS) qualification, at least 10,000 AQM or 5 AQS must be earned on eligible flights operated by Air Canada or Air Canada Express. Altitude Qualifying Miles earned through the purchase of an Unlimited Flight Pass also count towards the Minimum Flight Requirement.

At each level, your status will entitle you to core benefits that are designed to add ease and comfort to your travels. Depending on your tier, you can enjoy the recognition of priority reservation and airport services, the convenience of complimentary checked baggage allowance, and the comfort of
Maple Leaf™ Lounges, as well as Priority Rewards, Star Alliance recognition, upgrades to the Executive cabin, and so much more!

Of course, in addition to the core benefits, you’ll continue to choose amongst the Select Privileges that are most important to you, such as eUpgrade Credits, Top Tier Bonus Miles, Maple Leaf Lounge Guest Passes, and more.

Air Canada Altitude and the Aeroplan Program

Rest assured that these changes have no impact on your membership in Aeroplan®, Canada’s premier coalition loyalty program. Air Canada Altitude is designed to recognize our most frequent flyers with a range of priority travel services, lounge access, and upgrades that make your travel as comfortable and seamless as possible. Air Canada Altitude members will continue to benefit from Air Canada’s partnership with the Aeroplan Program, which provides for a wide range of ways to earn and redeem valuable Aeroplan Miles, including flights to over 1,200 destinations worldwide. And of course Altitude Qualifying Miles earned towards Air Canada Altitude status are also redeemable Aeroplan Miles.

The launch of Air Canada Altitude

We encourage you to bookmark this page since we will be updating it to keep you informed on a regular basis as we get ready to launch the program.

It’s important to remember that the current 2012 Top Tier program is not changing. The privileges that you currently enjoy will remain in effect through February 28, 2013.

Frequently asked questions